Composite Research and Development Engineer (KTP Associate)

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in partnership with CAV Acquisition Limited are seeking to appoint a KTP Associate to embed composite manufacturing know how within CAV and develop repeatable lab scale processes suitable for R&D and commercial bid ready prototyping. The post will be predominantly based at CAV Acquisitions’ site in County Durham with visits to the University of Strathclyde campus.

Main activities/responsibilities

• Identify current and new capabilities within and outside CAV.
• Establish Lab-Scale Composite Manufacturing Capability within CAV
• Validate Lab-Scale Manufacturing Capability and Product Prototyping
• Evaluation of Non-Destructive test methods for composite product prototypes
• Disseminate project and embed knowledge within company

The position offers the KTP Associate the following benefits:

• Manage your own substantial training and development budget (you can also use this to attend conferences, cover membership of professional bodies etc.)
• You’ll ‘own’ your own project, linked to both a university and a business whose experienced teams will provide you with full support. Applying academic knowledge to a real-world challenge, this is a chance to deliver impact and shape your career whilst gaining valuable experience from industrial and academic mentors.
• KTPs offer extensive opportunities for graduates and post-grads, as you provide the link between an expert academic team and a dynamic company. This ‘bridge’ gives you unique and exceptional access to both worlds.
• A fulfilling employment opportunity where you can apply your knowledge to turn a key strategic innovation idea into reality within an innovative company.
• You can choose a variety of training modules during your KTP: project management, marketing and communication, finance, leadership and/or personal development, as well as job-specific technical training.

The project will embed advanced design and manufacturing capability for composite materials within CAV Systems, enabling the development of a portfolio of fibre-reinforced polymer composite aerospace components case studies and strengthening the company’s long-term innovation and commercial offering.